SA: Greens call for universal sporting code of conduct

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2009
SA: Greens call for universal sporting code of conduct

ADELAIDE, April 9 AAP - Officials and club captains from all sporting codes nationwide
should be called to a meeting to discuss player misconduct, the Greens say.

Greens South Australian Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says recent incidents of footballers
behaving badly should prompt a roundtable meeting to determine a universal code of conduct
for all sports.

The AFL has been the centre of sporting scandals this week, with Adelaide defender
Nathan Bock charged with assaulting his girlfriend and North Melbourne players apologising
for producing a video showing a condom-clad rubber chicken performing sex acts on a chicken
carcass.

"This code of conduct would be built around universal behavioural benchmarks and appropriate
sanctions for breaches," Senator Hanson-Young said in a statement on Thursday.

"We must remember that, especially in this sport-loving nation, sportspeople hold a
high role model status and their behaviour should reflect this.

"It's clear from incidents that have occurred even in just the last week that better
awareness raising and training is needed among our elite sportspeople.

"In particular, healthy, respectful attitudes towards women need to be talked about
by those at the top of their respective games to take back to the clubs."

AAP sl/ht/

KEYWORD: CONDUCT

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.